The 32-year-old actress - who has a daughter Matilda, seven, from her previous relationship with the late Heath Ledger - reportedly decided to end her relationship with the How I Met Your Mother star earlier this month, after a year of dating, because she could no longer cope with their "long distance" romance.

According to USMagazine.com, Jason, 33, spends a lot of time filming his TV show in Los Angeles while Michelle lives in New York and they eventually found being apart for long periods too difficult.

The low-key couple, who rarely acknowledged their relationship, enjoyed a holiday in Cancun, Mexico, together with their mutual friend Busy Philipps last month.

Earlier this month Michelle admitted she was overwhelmed by the support she had received since going public with their romance and said she was happier than she had been in a long time.

She said: "The other day I was out there all bundled up and the sun was shining and I realised I was smiling in a way I hadn't in a long time. The roses in my cheeks weren't from makeup for once. It was a perfect moment."

Friends close to Jason also predicted they would marry as he was also besotted by Matilda.

A source close to the actor previously said: "I never thought Jason would ever date someone with a kid. But he's taking everything in stride. He's ready to be a grown-up.

"Matilda loves Jason, he knows how to entertain children. You can't be that obsessed with puppets and not learn a few things!"